Tenacity for Life-Essays on life, business and the world around us

Sunday, October 15, 2017

A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his Customer, "This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you."The barber puts a quarter in one hand and nickels in the other, then calls the boy over and asks, "Which do you want, son?"The boy takes the two nickels and leaves."What did I tell you?" said the barber. "That kid never learns!"Later, when the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of the ice cream store."Hey, son! May I ask you a question?Why did you take two nickels instead of the quarter ?"The boy licked his cone and replied,Because the day I take the quarter, the game is over.

~Lou Sandoval is an entrepreneur whose successful career transcends over 17 years of Fortune 100 experience parlayed into business ownership. Lou believes in giving back to his community and has been involved in the Boy Scouts of America's leadership. He serves on a few non-profit and professional boards. Opinions expressed here are solely personal and not a representation of any of the organizations with which he may be affiliated.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

As many know, I'm a huge advocate for the Sport of Sailing. Partly because it's my chosen vocation, but mostly because I have seen how (if you are listening) sailing is a great metaphor for life, business and the human condition. It's an opportunity to get away from the fast pace of everyday life, connect with the elements and recharge. Sailing is being challenged to evolve to the 21st century agenda. One governed by less personal time and busy schedules- 24/7 and individual coaching for our kids to 'get them to the next level'. Somewhere we seem to have lost a whole generation of sailors between 1995 and now. Somewhere over the last three decades, American society decided that specialization was the way to go... for our careers, for the sports our kids play and the lives we lead. Gone are the days of pick-up baseball and three sport athletes. In -are Fall-Winter-Spring travel soccer; three day a week practices and games on the weekends. It's no wonder we need a vacation from our lives sometimes. Sailing has not been immune to this- Weekend travel Opti regattas; coach boat parents and cross training. A vigorous attempt at times for some parents to live vicariously through their kids. I'll admit my wife and I have bitten the poisoned apple. Our two daughters are fully immersed in travel soccer. This past weekend, I spent two days travelling 150 miles round trip from Frankfort, IL to Cedarburg, WI and back to Chicago to shuttle our school aged daughters from one game to another. Where did the weekend go? All the while, our family boat lies in the harbor with the sailing season coming to a close- I pine for the chance to sneak in one last sail. I get it, many will say that it comes down to decisions. For now, we have our daughters taking sailing school in the Summers and they have grown up on boats since the ages of 6 months old and 9 months old. We choose to not force it on them at the risk of turning them off. They have (for now) naturally come back to wanting time on the boat at their pace. If I wasn't a stakeholder and boat owner, I can see why families can come to the decision that it's time to sell the boat, pull away from the sport or god forbid- if the kids hate it- say goodbye. We're fortunate that our girls love everything to do with the water and we make club life and boating life part of our busy agenda- but it isn't easy and I get it. The trick is how does a sport that offers the magic elixir for what ails us , become relevant again? How do we embrace that slower lifestyle. Will we look back 15 years from know and realize we had it wrong? Many questions, not enough time. There has to be a happy medium. If you find it, please let me know. Crain's Chicago Business- The Travel Team that Ate their life.~Lou Sandoval is an entrepreneur whose successful career transcends over 17 years of Fortune 100 experience parlayed into business ownership. Lou believes in giving back to his community and has been involved in the Boy Scouts of America's leadership. He serves on a few non-profit and professional boards. Opinions expressed here are solely personal and not a representation of any of the organizations with which he may be affiliated. You can follow him on twitter @tenacityforlife or via his blog www.tenacityforlife.com

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Raising a boy in today's world is not easy. Masculinity is criticized and frowned upon. The political correctness of the world doesn't allow boys to be rambunctious boys. The educational system brands such as having attention issues and 'too much energy'. Truth be told, some good old fashioned recess and physical activity takes care of much. One of The most impactful societal issues in today's world is that by not creating strong boys- we have to repair broken men. The travesty of our time- paid forward.Only God knows why I was never blessed with a son, my wife and I still think that our miscarriage in 2002 was our son to be... I saw this list and wondered if I would every get the chance to share this with my son. While that ship has sailed, I hope to one day be able to share this wisdom with a grandson or other young man who might benefit from it.Rules for my Unborn Son:1. Never shake a man’s hand sitting down.
2. There are plenty of ways to enter a pool. The stairs ain’t one.
3. The man at the grill is the closest thing we have to a king.
4. In a negotiation, never make the first offer.
5. Act like you’ve been there before. Especially in the end zone.
6. Request the late check-out.
7. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.
8. Hold your heroes to a higher standard.
9. Return a borrowed car with a full tank of gas.
10. Don’t fill up on bread.
11. When shaking hands, grip firmly and look him in the eye.
12. Don’t let a wishbone grow where a backbone should be.
13. If you need music on the beach, you’re missing the point.
14. Carry two handkerchiefs. The one in your back pocket is for you. The one in your breast pocket is for her.
15. You marry the girl, you marry her whole family.
16. Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like crazy underneath.
17. Experience the serenity of traveling alone.
18. Never be afraid to ask out the best looking girl in the room.
19. Never turn down a breath mint.
20. In a game of HORSE, sometimes a simple free throw will get ’em.
21. A sport coat is worth 1000 words.
22. Try writing your own eulogy. Never stop revising.
23. Thank a veteran

~Lou Sandoval is an entrepreneur whose successful career transcends over 17 years of Fortune 100 experience parlayed into business ownership. Lou believes in giving back to his community and has been involved in the Boy Scouts of America's leadership. He serves on a few non-profit and professional boards. Opinions expressed here are solely personal and not a representation of any of the organizations with which he may be affiliated.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Today marks your 87th Birthday Dad. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. That I'm not reminded of our last conversation together which you punctuated with "Louie, it's going to be OK" is always present it stings and comforts. When I spend time with the girls and think back to the days when I wondered if you thought about me when I went for that fly ball in the outfield and knew that you were working that second shift so that we might see a different path than you had. I know. Spending time with the girls and teaching them that family is the most important thing, That There are ways to accomplish what you strive for while staying true to who you are- who is there for you.

It's been a challenge since you've been gone on a few fronts. Life has thrown me a few curve balls. People I thought I could depend on, people I thought were friends showed their true colors. Their weakness and self interest played out like you said it would. Yet, I go back to those words: "It's going to be OK". I continue to stay true to family like you taught us- Family first, then friends, then everything else. The lessons that it is OK to try, give it your all and fail- because in the end it will be OK.

Dad, I wish you a very Happy Birthday in Heaven. I know you are looking down on us smiling and making sure that all will be OK.... Because it will.

~Lou Sandoval is an entrepreneur whose successful career transcends over 17 years of Fortune 100 experience parlayed into business ownership. Lou believes in giving back to his community and has been involved in the Boy Scouts of America's leadership. He serves on a few non-profit and professional boards. Opinions expressed here are solely personal and not a representation of any of the organizations with which he may be affiliated.

Some personal thoughts on another interesting week for our nation. The path least traveled will set you free.

"Parents railed against the Boy Scouts of America after Trump's campaign-style speech"

"It's Time for Patriots to Break Ties with Boy Scouts"

Reading these and other headlines this week and you smelled the classic catch 22.

It's a no win situation. Hold true to traditional American values, pray and honor duty to god and one side will crucify you. Allow girls, walk a mid-line of inclusion and the other skewers you. In a hyper-partisan world , I guess you know you are on the right path when you are attacked by both sides.

In the end it is about common American values- the 12 points of the Scout law:

Those values know NO party and all of our elected leaders could stand to heed (at least )a few of them.

Put another way: Chicago was the birthplace of the American Scouting movement dating back to 1910. Scouting was once strong in all of Chicago's mostly working class communities. Today it was announced that Chicago reached the 400 homicide mark (and it is part way through the year). Chicago is as liberal , tolerant and accepting as it can be, yet we fail to heed one or more of the 10 commandments on a daily basis (thou shall not kill, steal etc). In some of our communities -churches and religious leaders are as plentiful as liquor stores (one on every corner) yet salvation is no where to be found. A classic "tale of two cities" in many Chicago communities-Hope is awash in a sea of despair.

Scouting was kicked to the curb by Politicians in the 70's and removed from public schools. Think of where North Lawndale, Back of the yards, South Chicago, Little Village or Englewood might be if for three decades we had nurtured successive generations of youth growing up in the Scouting way with the Scout Law as their compass? ... the possibilities are endless.

I'm confident that Scouting will persevere it always has, it will be there for those that want to walk the road less travelled.

~Lou Sandoval is an entrepreneur whose successful career transcends over 17 years of Fortune 100 experience parlayed into business ownership. Lou believes in giving back to his community and has been involved in the Boy Scouts of America's leadership. He serves on a few non-profit and professional boards. Opinions expressed here are solely personal and not a representation of any of the organizations with which he may be affiliated.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

I've been on this journey for the past 16 months. He self discovery, experiences and emotions uncovers have been surreal. Those I thought I could trust have become untrustworthy, the exfoliation of my former circle inevitable. The eWorld is alive in a realm of seamless possibility. One after another, they present themselves like Beauty queens at a talent show- providing a glimpse into their many facets. Just when you think they have revealed theirs "all", comes another. When will it end. It is as if this is the way that it has been planned . Am I to be a nomad for the remainder of my days? When will "the one" show itself? As for the people , my core remains unshakable all though the "accessory players" have changed and may do so again. It is fleeting or so it appears. All so transient. Relational vagabonds- all here to teach me about myself and guide me in my way to "the destination". Where that destination is or what it holds in store I don't know.
I ran across this piece in a literary perpsective that seems to Frame things for me. It is an opinion piece on the author Timothy Leary's famous call to arms.
"Maybe you recognize the feeling to which I’m referring. Maybe you don’t. Perhaps it isn’t universal. Perhaps you won’t know it in your lifetime. I don’t know. All I can say is that something creeps up to let you know that you aren’t the person you wanted to be, that there’s more to this world than you had previously thought. Then you change, because you must. You find curiosity and passion and motivation that weren’t there before. Confidence and self-respect grow. Things begin to coalesce, to feel “right”.
To those who haven’t met this point and wish to, I can only advise you to seek. In the back of your mind, always believe that epiphanies are coming. Always focus on learning as much as possible. Think like a child. Keep both eyes and mind open, eternally. Be willing to entertain any idea. Look for teachers and signs in unlikely places. Reflect. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. Look yourself in the mirror and ask if you’re content with where your life is heading. Care about living in the fullest sense.
Remember that in life, it’s quite difficult to find what you’re not really looking for. So stay alert, be patient, and believe that there is more. Really believe. My Rendition
I love the style of Leary’s quote. It’s a sort of direct confrontation, a kick in the pants, a call to arms for anyone who is ready to hear it. I decided to try to craft my own version of it, and that’s what I wish to leave you with in this essay. I can’t promise mine measures up to Dr. Leary’s, but I hope it resonates with you anyway. Take care, friends, and here’s my rendition:
“Admit it. You aren’t satisfied. You’re not entirely sure why or how, but you aren’t. A vague sense of lack, a question — is this it? — gnaws at you, keeps you up some nights. You should be happy, you tell yourself. You’re living the dream, aren’t you? Hip, classy wardrobe. Respectable career path. Connoisseur of TV. Internet extraordinaire. Sarcastic, detached personality. Gets a bit wild on weekends. Success, right? So they said, but you aren’t sure anymore. The “right”, “safe” things feel so… obvious, boxed-in, dinky. Some days you wish you could just burst into song on the street or make animal noises in a professional setting. You hear faint whispers calling you to the dangerous, the different, the bold, and the unknown. The half-buried dream. The maybe-someday travels. The secret project. The un-slain dragon. Follow the whispers. The hardest thing is to love who you really are and be that person but you must. Courage is rewarded, and life is a tenacious quest or nothing at all. Question everything. Startle yourself. Make somebody’s day. Ask her name. Bare your naked soul to all between land and sky and disregard the naysayers. You’re never alone. Find the others.”
— Jordan Bates" ~Lou Sandoval is a business owner with over 17 years Fortune 100 experience. In 2002, he left a successful career to pursue his dream of business ownership. Lou believes in giving back to his community and has also been involved in the Boy Scouts of America and serves on a few non-profit and professional boards. Opinions expressed here are solely personal and not a representation of any of the organizations with which he may be affiliated.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and selfish.Love them anyway.

If you are kind, others may accuse you of having selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind to others anyway.

If you are successful, you will gain some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do for others will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and trust make it easy for others to hurt you.
Be honest and trusting anyway.

The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be brought down by the smallest people with the smallest minds.
Think and dream big anyway.

What you spend years building can be destroyed by others in a single day.
Build anyway.

When others need help and you try to help them, they may turn and attack you.
Help them anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, others will be jealous and resent you.
Be happy anyway.

You can give the world the best you have and it still may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

You see, in the end, it is all between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

~Lou Sandoval is a business owner with over 17 years Fortune 100 experience. In 2002, he left a successful career to pursue his dream of business ownership. Lou believes in giving back to his community and has also been involved in the Boy Scouts of America and serves on a few non-profit and professional boards. Opinions expressed here are solely personal and not a representation of any of the organizations with which he may be affiliated.

Welcome to Tenacity for Life

Tenacity Te*nac"i*ty\, n. [L. tenacitas: cf. F. t['e]nacit['e]. See Tenacious.]1. The quality or state of being tenacious; as, tenacity, or retentiveness, of memory; tenacity, or persistency, of purpose.

We live in world where people are so easily stopped by their daily obstacles. They lead their lives sometimes, blaming society and others for why they cannot achieve. I came to the realization early in my life that if was to be it was truly up to me.Read more...